Ski adapter combination for free style maneuvering

ABSTRACT

A ski adapter or attachment is disclosed for use on the trailing edges of snow skis so as to provide up-turned tips at both ends of a ski, to facilitate the performance of free-style maneuvers. An arcuate rigid attachment or form is provided for mating engagement with the trailing edge of a ski to provide a continuous surface termination extending upwardly from the bottom or running surface of the ski. As disclosed, a fastening structure is provided for releasably affixing the form to a ski.

United States Patent [191 Davis I [11] 3,820,802 451 June 28, 1974 SKI-ADAPTER COMBINATION, FOR F REE-STYLE MANEUVERING [76] Inventor: Lon R. Davis, 11116 Cumpston North Hollywood, Calif. 91601 [22] Filed: May 17, 1972 [21] Appl. No.: 254,249

[52] US. Cl. 280/l1l.l3 T, 280/28 [51] Int. Cl. A63c 5/00 [58] FieldofSearch...280/l1.13T,11.13 K,- 11.13 R, 280/28; 9/310 A [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 382,254 5/1888 Conradson 280/1 1.13 K 948,866 2/1910 Mennenga 280/28 2,277,281 3/1942 Vinton 280/1 1.13 K 3,094,721 6/1963 Cravotta 280/1 1.13 L X FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 1,191,827 10/1959 France 280/ll.l3 T

223,975 4/1943 Switzerland .280/ll.13K

Primary Examiner--David Schonberg Assistant ExaminerMilton L. Smith Attorney, Agent, or Firm--Nilsson, Robbins, Bissell, Dalgarn & Berliner 57 ABSTRACT A ski adapter or attachment is disclosed for use'on the trailing edges of snow skis so as to provide up-turned tips at both ends of a ski, to facilitate the performance of free-style maneuvers. Anarcuate rigid attachment or form is provided for mating engagement with the trailing edge of a ski to provide a continuous surface termination extending upwardly from the bottom or running surface of the ski. As disclosed, a fastening structure is provided for releasably affixing the form to a ski.

6 Claims, 5 Drawing Figures BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Snow skiing has become an exceedingly-popular sport which has resulted in a substantial field of recreation. Perhaps as a consequence of the number of persons who pursue the sport, there is a growing interest in various skiing techniques that are somewhat unconventional. One enjoyable, though unconventional, technique of skiing may be termed free-style and involves maneuvers that include skiing backwards for a time. Generally, it is apparent that custom skis could be designed and built specifically to facilitate such maneuvers, having up-turned tips at both ends. However, the difficulty in that regard, in addition to the cost and expense of a pair of such skis, resides in the inconvenience of handling and transporting such unconventional skis. That is, many ski-carrying structures require a straight trailing edge with the result that doubleended skis would necessitate special handling. Additionally, the up-turned trailing tips of such acrobatic skis have been found to have an adverse effect upon the useof such skis for conventional skiing, e.g. down-hill runs, particularly in deep-powder snow. Consequently, it has been discovered that a need exists for a structure to be used in cooperation with a conventional ski, for simply and easily converting such a ski to a structure for use in acrobatic skiing. g

Generally, it is to be appreciated thatskis, used in almost any fashion, are subjected to substantial loads and shock forces. Accordingly, any apparatus employed in cooperation with skis must result in a sturdy, integral structure. Of course, such a consideration is fully applicable to a structure as suggested above.

In general, the present invention is directed to an attachment apparatus in combination with a ski to accomplish-a unit for free-style skiing yet which may be easily returned to a ski of conventional configuration. Specifically, a somewhat-arcuate rigid form providing a smooth, continuous curved surface also defines a shoulder for mating engagement with the trailing. edge of the ski. The form incorporates a fastener for engagement with a mating fastener that is permanently affixed to the ski in a manner that will not interfere with its conventional use.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS In the drawings, which constitute a part of this specification, exemplary embodiments exhibiting various objectives and features hereof are set forth, specifi cally:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a pair of skis incorporating structure in accordance herewith;

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary perspective view of a ski- FIG. 5 is a fragmentary perspective view illustrating still another specific form hereof.

DESCRIPTION OF THE ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENTS As required, detailed illustrative embodiments of the invention are disclosed herein. The embodiments merely exemplify the invention which may, of course, be constructed in various other forms, some of which may be somewhat different from the disclosed embodiments. However, the specific structural and functional details disclosed are merely representative and in that regard provide a basis for the claims herein which define the scope of the invention.

Referring initially to FIG. 1, a skier P is depicted on a pair of ski structures S in accordancev herewith. The structures S are generally similar and comprise conventional skis 12, equipped with bindings l4 and trailingedge attachments 16 in accordance herewith. As illustrated, the ski structures S would be employed for freestyle or acrobatic skiing wherein the skier P may per-. form maneuvers in which the attachments 16 are oriented downhill. In view of the up-turned rear tips provided by the'attachments 16, such maneuvers may be performed with considerably increased safety and ease. As described in detail below, for conventional use of the skis 12 or during the transportation or storage thereof, the attachments 16 may be removed as a mat ter of convenience and utility.

Generally, it has been discovered that considerable advantages flowfrom utilizing theattachments 16 in a form wherein one fastener element is permanently or semi-permanently affixed to the skis 12 and another fastener element or elements are integral with the attachments 16. It is also important to recognize that the running surfaces 18 (ski bottoms) of the skis 12' are extended by the attachments 16- as a continuous uptumedsurface. Generally, embodiments hereof in accordance withthese-considerations will now be explained in detail.

One embodiment of the present invention is illustrated in FIG. 2 wherein a ski 20 is fragmentarily represented, defining a smooth running surface 22 and a trailing edge 24. Of course, the running surface 22 is generally parallel to the' upper surface 26 of the ski 20; however, some contouring may be incorporated as well known in the prior art.

In accordance herewith, an attachment28 is affixed to the ski 20 in mating engagement with the trailing edge 24. Specifically, the attachment 28 constitutes a somewhat arcuate form defining an upper surface 30 which is continuous with an up-turned tip surface 31. Below the surface 30, an engagement surface 34 is defined which terminates in a shoulder 32, for mating engagement with the trailing edge 24 of the ski 20. Rearward of the shoulder 32, a bottom surface 38 of the attachment 28 providesan up-turned extension of the running surface 22 of the ski 20. As indicated above, it is important to recognize that the surface 38 of the attachment 28 is continuous with the running surface 22 of the ski 20, Le. involves no ridges or discontinuities.

The attachment 28 is affixed to the ski 20 by mating fasteners 40. Specifically, each of the fasteners 40 includes a nut insert 42 (shown in-phantom) which is permanently seated within the ski 20 and which is threadably engaged with a stud 44 extending downwardly through the attachment 28..Thus, the fasteners 40 rigidly secure the attachment 28 to the ski 20 and may be removed therefrom when not in use simply by threadably disengaging the studs 44.

Considering another embodiment of the present invention, reference will now be made to FIG. 3. Structural components previously identified in the embodiment of FIG. 2 bear similar reference numerals. In the embodiment of FIG. 3, an attachment 46 differs to some extent from that disclosed in FIG. 2, specifically in that the surface 34 defines a wide, flat, upwardlyunitary spring latch 58. Specifically, the spring latch 58 functions as a leaf spring and includes a flat section 60, which is fixed to the attachment 46 by screws 68, and a vertical extension 64 for abutting a forward edge 66 of the plate 52 to thereby latch the attachment 46 to the ski 20. Again, a rigid structure is provided affording a continuous extension of the running surface 22.with an up-turned surface 38.

Generally, skis are manufactured in a wide variety of sizes and individual shapes. Accordingly, it has been determined that the manufacture of the attachment 16 (FIG. 1) may be simplified by the production of a somewhat enlarged member tha can be cut and trimmed to mate with a specific ski at the time of installation. A step in the installation procedure is illustrated by FIG. 4 with reference to the embodiment of FIG. 3. Specifically, the attachment 46 is manufactured of an increased width as indicated by the bracket 68, for subsequent trimming so that the structure 46 coincides in width to the ski 20. Accordingly, the process involves affixing the attachment 46 to the ski to determine the appropriate width, then cutting the attachment 46 to the appropriate width as illustrated by the cutting tool 70. Of course, some additional trimming and forming may be desirable.

.As further considerations in relation to the manufacture of various embodiments hereof, the attachment structures 16 may be formed of various materials; however, in one successful embodiment, plastic materials have been found to be quite satisfactory. Additionally, light-weight metal as well as other materials also appear to be quite satisfactory. Of course, depending upon the material employed, various forming techniquesas well known in the prior art may be utilized; however, with regard to plastic units, injection molding has been determined to be practical and efficient.

In the contouring of some skis the upper surface at the trailing edge defines a significant curvature. Of course, various attachments in accordance herewith may be employed to accommodate such a taper and in I define a bottom surface and shoulder 82 for mating engagement with the contoured ski.

Considering the structure of FIG. 5 in somewhat greater detail, the attachment 78 defines a shape or form substantially similar to those previously disclosed. However, a wide flat dove-tail groove 84 is defined in the bottom surface 80 of the structure 78 extending transversely across the attachment 78. A plate 86 is then affixed to the ski 72 for transverse sliding engagement with the groove 84 after which a fiat spring latch 88 drops into a locking position. Generally, the plate 86, the lock 88 and the mating structure of FIG. 5 is generally as previously described with reference to FIG. 3, except for the fact that the sliding engagement is accomplished by a transverse movement perpendicular to the axial length of the ski 72. As a consequence,

skis with certain types of contouring may be accommodated as elements in the combination of the present invention.

In view of the various embodiments disclosed above, it is readily apparent that the present apparatus may be produced in a wide variety of different structures. Generally, the significant considerations reside in the fact that the running surfaces of the skis are extended continuously from the trailing edges of the skis to define up-turned surfaces. Additionally, it is important to provide a convenient and sturdy fastening structure in the combination of the present invention in the interests of safety as well as convenience. Within the confines of these considerations, the various possibilities are extensive and, accordingly, the scope hereof shall be deemed to be in accordance with the claims as set forth below.

What is claimed is:

l A ski adapter for use in cooperation with a ski which includes an elongated section terminated at one end by a turned tip and at the opposed end by a trailing edge, with a running surface extending therebetween, said ski having centrally-affixed bindings for attachment to a person, said adapter comprising:

a somewhat arcuate rigid form providing a substantially smooth continuous curved surface terminating at a shoulder defined therein for mating engagement with the trailing edge of said ski; and

attachment means for releasably affixing said form to said ski to provide an up-turned tip at the trailing edge thereof, defining an arcuate surface extending continuous with said running surface of said ski, said means for affixing including a first fastener means affixed to said ski at a location contiguous to said trailing edge and on the upper surface of said ski opposed to said running surface, and a second fastener means for locking engagement with said first fastener means, said second fastener means being affixed to said form.

2. A ski adapter according to claim 1 wherein said first fastener means comprises a plate adapted to be affixed to said ski at a location on the upper surface of said ski opposed to said running surface, said plate having an externally tapered width and wherein said second fastener means defines a groove for slidingly receiving said plate.

3. A ski adapter according to claim 2 further includ-' ing a latch member for locking said form on said plate.

4. A ski adapter according to claim 3 wherein said parallel to the axis of said curved surface. second fastener means defines a groove substantially A Ski adapter according to claim 1 wherein Said tangent to said curved surface.

5. A ski adapter according to claim 3 wherein said second fastener means defines a groove substantially 5 form comprises a body of plastic. 

1. A ski adapter for use in cooperation with a ski which includes an elongated section terminated at one end by a turned tip and at the opposed end by a trailing edge, with a running surface extending therebetween, said ski having centrally-affixed bindings for attachment to a person, said adapter comprising: a somewhat arcuate rigid form providing a substantially smooth continuous curved surface terminating at a shoulder defined therein for mating engagement with the trailing edge of said ski; and attachment means for releasably affixing said form to said ski to provide an up-turned tip at the trailing edge thereof, defining an arcuate surface extending continuous with said running surface of said ski, said means for affixing including a first fastener means affixed to said ski at a location contiguous to said trailing edge and on the upper surface of said ski opposed to said running surface, and a second fastener means for locking engagement with said first fastener means, said second fastener means being affixed to said form.
 2. A ski adapter according to claim 1 wherein said first fastener means comprises a plate adapted to be affixed to said ski at a location on the upper surface of said ski opposed to said running surface, said plate having an externally tapered width and wherein said second fastener means defines a groove for slidingly receiving said plate.
 3. A ski adapter according to claim 2 further including a latch member for locking said form on said plate.
 4. A ski adapter according to claim 3 wherein said second fastener means defines a groove substantially tangent to said curved surface.
 5. A ski adapter according to claim 3 wherein said second fastener means defines a groove substantially parallel to the axis of said curved surface.
 6. A ski adapter according to claim 1 wherein said form comprises a body of plastic. 